clang

1 of 2

verb

ˈklaŋ 

clanged; clanging; clangs

intransitive verb

1

a

: to make a loud metallic ringing sound

anvils clanged

b

: to go with a clang

2

: to utter the characteristic harsh cry of a bird

transitive verb

: to cause to clang

clang a bell

clang

2 of 2

noun

1

: a loud ringing metallic sound

the clang of a fire alarm

2

: a harsh cry of a bird (such as a crane or goose)

Synonyms of clang

Noun

• clank
• clash
• rattle
• clangor
• ring
• thump
• clink
• whang

Examples of clang in a Sentence

Verb

His fork clanged against the plate.

The prison door clanged shut.

The guard clanged the door shut.

Noun

the horseshoe hit the stake with a satisfying clang

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Purdy helped provide a big momentum boost with a 33-yard strike to Kittle directly into the wind with 15 seconds to play that set up a 25-yard field goal by Matt Gay, with the ball hitting the upright and clanging through for three points and a 10-8 halftime lead. —Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 1 Dec. 2025

At once the bells began to clang. —Ben Wedeman, CNN Money, 30 Nov. 2025

Noun

After coming up with a couple of clutch saves in overtime, Flynn stopped the first penalty kick with a dive and saw the second attempt from Wellesley (9-5-3) harmlessly clang off the post. —Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025

The clang of a political gong is deafening. —Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin clangere; akin to Greek klazein to scream, bark, Old English hliehhan to laugh

First Known Use

Verb

1576, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for clang

• bang
• chuang
• dang
• drang
• fang
• gang
• gangue
• hang
• hange
• kang
• kiang
• langue

Kids Definition

clang

1 of 2 verb

ˈklaŋ 

: to make or cause to make a loud ringing sound

clang

2 of 2 noun

: a loud ringing sound like that made by pieces of metal striking together